The boulevard of the dead and other stories

Two worlds

"If you don't like what you live, travel to what you've already lived!" "Why not live your memories?"  "It's paradise untouched!" proclaimed the advertisements for that drug.

The first time I heard that announcement I was on the train. I was traveling to what used to be my old job, while trying to come up with reasons why they should think twice before closing the building. The rest of the passengers were entertained by their cell phones or the pages of the newspaper, while chatting about things like the results of last night's game or how their job was the worst thing in the world. And, once the music stopped to make way for the robotic voice, which reported the creation of that new drug, we all, for some reason, paid attention.

It seemed that many people were not happy with their lives. In my case, I was content with what I had: I worked in a place that allowed me to pay the rent for an apartment, buy the things I needed, and even gave me the possibility of attending a movie once a month that I was sure would not leave me completely satisfied. I was still in touch with my family and friends, although, generally, I could not see them as often due to the lack of time for both of them. But, when I heard the announcement, I questioned my life, only to realize that I wasn't really completely happy: I was on the verge of plunging into a crisis because I was part of the large number of unemployed people, I was in a city I hadn't even taken the time to get to know, and I was alone.

And it was at that moment that I questioned the possibility of taking that medication. After all, I had nothing more to lose. Thanks to this, the first few days I went on with what I considered my normal life, ignoring all the testimonials and comments that had flooded the social networks, saying how that pill was wonderful, and had solved their lives, even though they couldn't say for sure what had changed. But, I questioned myself more when I noticed that my former boss was planning to drink it.

"It's the best option Sam. You know we are about to close the place and... well, maybe I need to have another perspective on things" he commented, when I had brought up the subject, while he held out the farewell letter to me. "Besides, it's pretty accessible, you know? And, apparently he's getting great results, so why miss the opportunity?"

And, even so, I still couldn't bring myself to ask for that pill which I claimed to be wonderful. But, as the days went by, I noticed how everyone around me was talking about it and its benefits. I heard my neighbors talking about how they were planning to take it too, in order to cope with the things that were going on in their lives; several people on the street claimed that it was the best decision they made, and even some of my friends also claimed that they could tell how I still hadn't taken it, even though the only thing that connected us was a phone call. It was probably at that moment that I realized that maybe I was delaying the inevitable.

"And if I take it... what happens, Diana?" I asked. I heard her exhale a sigh on the other end of the phone, as if she was tired.

"You're just going back to the life you always dreamed of, Sam."

"What if this is the life I've always dreamed of?"

"How could it be?" she replied, as she burst out laughing. "You've got to be kidding me..." And, hearing that I didn't answer, he hastened to add: "Now I remember that you were always a very funny girl, Sam... But, really, I recommend you to take it. What's more, you should go to the building where they create them. They give you a very interesting tour!"

"Did you do it that way? Did you go to that place?"

"Of course I did! There they give you a little tour of all the facilities, and, then they explain to you what the process is to create it and how it works. If you stay long enough, they give you the medicine!" she said "I stayed at the facility until the effect wore off, and it's like you're living in a dream."